The Meanings of the Karanas

Although the Karanas are a series of body movements (as opposed to the popular notion that they are mere poses or adavus) and have to be performed in accordance to the interpretation of their Sanskrit texts, they all derive their names from a single source which gives each Karana its unique name.

Hence, each Karana has a literal meaning, supporting which its entire choreographic version exists.

Let us take a look at all the 108 Karanaswith their literal meanings:

1. Talapushpaputam: Handful of flowers
2. Vartitam: Inverted
3. Valitorukam : Folded thigh
4. Apaviddham : Violently shaken
5. Samanakham : Level nails
6. Leenam : Inserted
7. Swastikarechitam : Whirling cross
8. Mandalaswastikam : Crossed region
9. Nikuttakam : Shouldered arms
10. Ardhanikuttakam : Half- shouldered arms
11. Katichinnam : Split waist
12. Ardhrechitakam : Half – whirl
13. Vakshaswastikam : Crossed chest
14. Unmattam : Frenzied
15. Swastikam : Crossed
16. Prasthaswastikam : Crossed at the back
17. Dikswastikam : Crossed
18. Alaatakam : Circling
19. Katisamam : Level waist
20. Akshiptarechitam : To cast off
21. Vikshiptaakshiptakam : Thrown over
22. ArdhaSwastikam : Legs crossed in swastika
23. Anchitam : Placing
24. Bhujangatraasitam : Fear of a serpent
25. Urdhvajaanu :Raised knee
26. Nikunchitam : Bent
27. Mattali : Reeling drunkenly
28. Ardhamattali : Semi- intoxicated reeling
29. Rechitanikuttitam : Whirling shouldered arms
30. Paadaapaviddhakam : Piercing the heels
31. Valitam : Folded in
32. Ghoornitam : Reeling
33. Lalitam : Graceful
34. Dandapaksham : Stiff side
35. Bhujangatrastarechitam: Reeling with bhujangatrasita
36. Noopuram : The anklet
37. Vaishaakarechitam : Whirling limb
38. Bhramarakam : Bee
39. Chaturam : Four fingers
40. Bhujangaanchitakam : Serpent touch
41. Dandakarechitam : Stiffened hands and legs
42. Vrishchikakuttitam : Scorpion in nikutta
43. Katibhraantam : Waist moved violently
44. Lataavrishchikam : Scorpion creeping down
45. Chinnam : Split
46. Vrishchikarechitam: Whirling scorpion
47. Vrishchikam : Scorpion
48. Vyamsitam : Beguiled
49. Paarsvanikuttakam : Folded arms on the side
50. Lalaatatilakam : Forehead mark
51. Kraantam : Bending kunchita leg back
52. Kunchitam : Angular bend
53. Chakramandalam : Turning the body
54. Uromandalam : Chest region
55. Akshiptam : Scattering
56. Talavilaasitam : Upturned toes
57. Argalam : Barred
58. Vikshiptam : Throwing about above with hands and feet thrown backwards and sideways
59. Aavartam : Whirlpool
60. Dolaapaadam : Swinging the leg
61. Vivrittam : Unwound
62. Vinivrittam : Reversed Vivarta
63. Paarsvakraantam : Movement to one side
64. Nistambhitam / Nishumbhitam : Stamping
65. Vidyudbhraantam : A sudden flash
66. Atikraantam : A step forward
67. Vivartitakam : Unfolding
68. Gajakriditakam : The sport of elephants
69. Talasamsphotitam: Clapping
70. Garudaplutakam : The flight of Garuda
71. Gandasoochi : Cheek Needle
72. Parivrittam: Circling about
73. Paarsvajaanu: Knee to one side
74. Gridhravalinakam : Kite- like
75. Sannatam : Hands well bent
76. Soochi: Needle
77. Ardhsoochi : Half- needle
78. Soochividdham : Probing with a needle
79. Apakraantam : Oblique gait
80. Mayuralalitam : Peacock’s grace
81. Sarpitam : Creeping serpent
82. Dandapaadam : Stiff leg
83. Harinaplutam : The flight of the deer
84. Prenkholitam : Cradle swing
85. Nitambam : Posterior
86. Skhalitam : Tripped
87. Karihastam : The elephant’s trunk
88. Prasarpitakam : Moved to the front
89. Simhavikreedhitakam : Lion’s sport
90. Simhaakarsitam : Pulled by a lion
91. Udvrittam : Lifted up
92. Upasritakam : Moved towards
93. Talasanghattitam : Clapping palms
94. Janitam : The origin
95. Avahittakam : Pointing fingers
96. Nivesham : Settling
97. Elakaakreeditam : A ram’s sport
98. Ooroodvrittam : Twisted thigh
99. Madaskhalitam : Moving drunkenly
100. Vishnukraantam : Vishnu’s movement
101. Sambhraantam : Bewilderment
102. Vishkambham : Extended
103. Udghattitam : Standing on tip toes
104. Vrishabhakreeditam : Bull’s sport
105. Lolitam : Rolling
106. Naagaapasarpitam : Serpentine movement
107. Shakataasyam : The cart wheel
108. Gangaavataranam : Descent of the Ganga

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